Opening liquor shops right or wrong?
Forty five days into the national lockdown implemented to contain
As the third phase of the lock down kicked in on Monday with several relaxations added, there has been a noticeable increase in road traffic as non-essential stores lifted shutters, including liquor shops, which people made a beeline at, throwing social distancing norms to the wind. The easing of the lock down measures came with its own set of challenges for police personnel as they struggled to manage the crowds outside liquor shops and in some parts of the country, they resorted to lathi-charge to bring the situation under control. As per the government notification, shops selling liquor have to ensure social distancing and also make sure that not more than five people are present at one time at the shop. With the Home Ministry allowing plying of private vehicles in all zones with restrictions, traffic was back on the roads in cities — a departure from the eerie quiet that had descended over them during the 40-day lockdown. While the restrictions have not been eased in containment areas, movement of private vehicles has been allowed in red zones with two passengers besides the driver for cars (earlier it was just one passenger in all zones) and no pillion rider for motorcycles.
The basic idea behind opening these liquor shops is to get money. As all the financial activities are at rest and governments are running short of taxes and money, they took this decision. Many people have raised their voices against this decision which includes political parties as well. But on the other hand, the long queues suggested that crores of people were waiting for these shops to get open, and the moment they got to know that these liquor shops are going to open people went on crazy. In some places as the report says people were standing outside shops midnight itself.
The Country who strictly followed lockdown for nearly 45 days to safeguard themselves and their loved ones from this invisible enemy, hospital staff, policeman who worked so hard to constraint this pandemic completely got collapsed. Government, municipal corporations, various NGO’s are working so hard to feed people who have lost their jobs and work.
I firmly believe that If these people have the money to buy liquor, then they should be utilizing it to buy foodgrain for their families. It is shameful that the government has taken this decision, especially in the ‘red zone’ with COVID-19 cases surging by the day. Why just to blame the government? it is our responsibility as a citizen to follow all the guidelines provided by the government?? of course, we need to start everything now with time, but as a citizen are we ready to take our responsibilities? We need to adapt ourselves and need to change our attitude as well.
I was discussing this topic with one of my dear friend, who was very upset because of the opening of these liquor shops. According to her, it would have been better if the government could have open these shops after the 17th, or at least they could have allowed it in green zones only. She further added that students who are going to face their exams in the next few weeks, they don’t have books with them, so the government should have open these shops in place of liquor ones. Her point is also quite valid if we see it with the students’ perspective.
Conclusion–
Reopening these liquor shops good or bad? is quite debatable but the government has to open certain things and unfortunately liquor is that commodity that gives the highest tax(apart from petrol product) to the government. But, for sure we could have made some more arrangements to make sure people follow social distancing. Many people may not agree with me, but it’s a fact that we need to adapt ourselves and have to live with this corona virus until the vaccine comes.
Author-
Mr.Raman R.Tirpude
MBA,BE
Dr.Ambedkar institute of management and research ,Nagpur
Working as a Sub editor with YUVA weekly newspaper.
raman's blog 